ID :
17944
Wed, 09/03/2008 - 21:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/17944
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Pak-born U.S. scientist indicted on murder charges by Dharam Shourie
New York, Sept 3 (PTI) A Pakistan-born U.S. scientist Aafia Siddiqui, with suspected links to al-Qaeda, has been indicted on federal charges that she tried to kill the American interrogators after her arrest in Afghanistan.
The 36-year-old neuro-scientist was arrested in Ghazni province of Afghanistan in July this year while loitering around the Governor's compound.
Siddiqui was held for questioning by army officers and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, but she allegedly snatched an Army officer's M-4 rifle and fire it at other members of the U.S. interview team.
She repeatedly stated her intent and desire to kill Americans, according to the indictment filed Tuesday.
If convicted, Siddiqui could spend her life in prison. She was indicted Tuesday and scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday.
However, none of the officers were injured in the scuffle that followed.
The indictment further said that a number of items were in Siddiqui's possession when she was detained, including handwritten notes that referred to a "mass casualty attack".
U.S. officials, who privately described her as a "treasure trove" of information on the al-Qaeda terror network, alleged that she was carrying a list of some of the city's prime locations like Plum Island, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, among others.
Siddiqui, who had been missing for five years and
reappeared in Ghazni under suspicious circumstances, was
arrested by Afghan police on July 17 and brought to the U.S.
the next day on the pretext that she had been planning a
suicide attack.
The U.S. educated scientist faces one count of attempting
to kill U.S. nationals abroad; one count of attempting to kill
U.S. officers and employees; one count of armed assault of
U.S. officers and employees; one count of using and carrying a
firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and
three counts of assault of U.S. officers and employees.
A F.B.I. statement said that if convicted, Siddiqui faces
a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the
attempted murder and armed assault charges; life in prison on
the firearm charge; and eight years in prison on each of the
remaining assault charges.
The indictment charges that Siddiqui not only had
documents listing the landmarks but also various ways to
attack "enemies, including by destroying reconnaissance
drones, using underwater bombs, and using gliders".
A computer flash drive found from the scientist at a time
of her arrest also referred to "specific 'cells' and 'attacks'
by certain 'cells,'" the charges read.
However, Siddiqui's lawyers claimed that the
Pakistan-born scientist had been detained secretly since 2003
after she left her parents home in Karachi for Islamabad.
Siddiqui is married to a nephew of Khalid Shekh Mohammed
who, the U.S. says, is among the people who helped plan the
September 11 attacks on Washingotn and New York.
The 36-year-old neuro-scientist was arrested in Ghazni province of Afghanistan in July this year while loitering around the Governor's compound.
Siddiqui was held for questioning by army officers and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, but she allegedly snatched an Army officer's M-4 rifle and fire it at other members of the U.S. interview team.
She repeatedly stated her intent and desire to kill Americans, according to the indictment filed Tuesday.
If convicted, Siddiqui could spend her life in prison. She was indicted Tuesday and scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday.
However, none of the officers were injured in the scuffle that followed.
The indictment further said that a number of items were in Siddiqui's possession when she was detained, including handwritten notes that referred to a "mass casualty attack".
U.S. officials, who privately described her as a "treasure trove" of information on the al-Qaeda terror network, alleged that she was carrying a list of some of the city's prime locations like Plum Island, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, among others.
Siddiqui, who had been missing for five years and
reappeared in Ghazni under suspicious circumstances, was
arrested by Afghan police on July 17 and brought to the U.S.
the next day on the pretext that she had been planning a
suicide attack.
The U.S. educated scientist faces one count of attempting
to kill U.S. nationals abroad; one count of attempting to kill
U.S. officers and employees; one count of armed assault of
U.S. officers and employees; one count of using and carrying a
firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and
three counts of assault of U.S. officers and employees.
A F.B.I. statement said that if convicted, Siddiqui faces
a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the
attempted murder and armed assault charges; life in prison on
the firearm charge; and eight years in prison on each of the
remaining assault charges.
The indictment charges that Siddiqui not only had
documents listing the landmarks but also various ways to
attack "enemies, including by destroying reconnaissance
drones, using underwater bombs, and using gliders".
A computer flash drive found from the scientist at a time
of her arrest also referred to "specific 'cells' and 'attacks'
by certain 'cells,'" the charges read.
However, Siddiqui's lawyers claimed that the
Pakistan-born scientist had been detained secretly since 2003
after she left her parents home in Karachi for Islamabad.
Siddiqui is married to a nephew of Khalid Shekh Mohammed
who, the U.S. says, is among the people who helped plan the
September 11 attacks on Washingotn and New York.
